If you’re a die-hard NHL fan eager to learn about the next wave of NHL talent, Neutral Zone’s rankings of current prospects are a must-read. What sets these evaluations apart? They come from Ian Moran, a 13-year NHL veteran who spent a total of 15 seasons playing professional hockey across North America and Europe. With international experience representing the U.S. in World Junior Championships and a World Championship, Moran’s insights come from a truly global perspective. Now Director of NHL Scouting for Neutral Zone, Moran leverages his unique, firsthand knowledge to provide in-depth, unbiased evaluations you won’t find anywhere else. Get the expert analysis that offers a clear view of the future, straight from someone who’s lived the game at the highest level.
1. Gabe Perreault (LW)
Gabriel Perreault (C, L, 5’11”, 165, NTDP U18, 05/07/2005, Boston College)
Strengths: Elite hockey IQ, soft hands, and top-tier playmaking ability. Perreault excels at finding seams and making smart plays under pressure. He has excellent vision and a deceptive shot.
Weaknesses: Needs to improve his skating and add strength to handle physical battles.
Focus: To make the NHL, Perreault must work on his acceleration and balance to avoid being knocked off the puck.
Potential Role: Top-six winger with strong offensive instincts, capable of driving play on a scoring line.
2. Brennan Othmann (LW)
Brennan Othmann (LW, L, 6’0″, 175, Flint Firebirds, 01/03/2003)
Strengths: Competitive and physical, Othmann is a goal-scorer with a heavy shot. He’s tough along the boards and plays with a high motor.
Weaknesses: Decision-making under pressure can improve, and he sometimes overextends his physical play.
Focus: Othmann needs to fine-tune his playmaking and continue to improve his defensive responsibility.
Potential Role: Middle-six winger who can score goals and provide physicality, with potential for top-line minutes.
3. E.J. Emery (D)
EJ Emery (D, R, 6’3″, 185, NTDP U18, 03/30/2006, North Dakota)
Strengths: Emery is a solid two-way defenseman with a long reach and strong skating ability. He has the poise to make smart plays under pressure and is effective in transition.
Weaknesses: His offensive game is still developing, and he can sometimes be passive in his decisions with the puck.
Focus: Emery needs to improve his puck-moving abilities and assertiveness on breakouts.
Potential Role: Second-pair defenseman who can contribute in both ends with a strong defensive presence.
4. Drew Fortescue (D)
Drew Fortescue (D, L, 6’1″, 176, NTDP U18, 04/01/2005, Boston College)
Strengths: Fortescue is defensively reliable with great gap control and positioning. He’s a physical player who clears the crease well and protects the middle of the ice.
Weaknesses: Lacks offensive flair and puck-handling creativity.
Focus: Needs to work on his puck-handling and transition play to complement his defensive strengths.
Potential Role: Shutdown defenseman who can log heavy minutes on a bottom pairing or second pair.
5. Dylan Garand (G)
Dylan Garand (G, L, 6’1″, 170, Kamloops Blazers, 06/07/2002)
Strengths: Garand is technically sound with strong positioning and quick reflexes. He tracks the puck well and has a calm demeanor in net.
Weaknesses: His size (6’0″) is below average for today’s NHL goalies, which may limit his ability to cover the net.
Focus: Garand needs to continue improving his lateral movement and puck-handling to compensate for his size.
Potential Role: Backup or 1B goalie with the potential to develop into a reliable NHL starter.
6. Noah Laba (C)
Noah Laba (F, R, 6’1″, 183, Lincoln Stars, 08/04/2003, Colorado College)
Strengths: Strong two-way center with excellent face-off skills and defensive awareness. Laba plays with grit and has shown flashes of offensive upside.
Weaknesses: His offensive production hasn’t been consistent, and he needs to improve his skating to keep up with NHL speed.
Focus: Laba should focus on improving his offensive creativity and acceleration.
Potential Role: Bottom-six center who can be relied upon for defensive matchups and penalty-killing duties.
7. Bryce McConnell-Barker (C)
Bryce McConnell-Barker (C, L, 6’1″, 187, Soo Greyhounds, 06/04/2004)
Strengths: A big-bodied center with strong puck protection and an effective shot. McConnell-Barker is difficult to knock off the puck and is effective in the cycle.
Weaknesses: His skating needs work, particularly his agility and first-step quickness.
Focus: Needs to improve his overall mobility to keep up with NHL pace.
Potential Role: Middle-six power forward who can anchor a third line and contribute on special teams.
8. Brett Berard (LW)
Brett Berard (F, L, 5’8″, 165, NTDP U18, 09/09/2002, Providence)
Strengths: A high-energy forward with speed and tenacity, Berard plays with relentless pressure and is effective on the forecheck. His speed creates offensive chances, and he’s an excellent penalty killer.
Weaknesses: His size (5’9″) limits his ability to win battles along the boards, and his offensive upside is modest.
Focus: Berard needs to continue working on his strength and offensive consistency.
Potential Role: Bottom-six winger who brings speed and energy, with the potential for penalty-killing duties.
9. Dylan Roobroeck (C)
Dylan Roobroeck (C, L, 6’8″, 205, Oshawa Generals, 07/27/2004)
Strengths: A big (6’7″) center with excellent net-front presence and soft hands for his size. Roobroeck is effective in tight areas and can provide a physical element down low.
Weaknesses: His skating is below average, and his overall game lacks pace.
Focus: Roobroeck needs to work on his skating, particularly his agility and acceleration.
Potential Role: Bottom-six center who can be a net-front presence on the power play and provide physicality.
10. Adam Sykora (LW)
Adam Sykora (RW, L, 5’10”, 172, HK Nitra, 09/07/2004)
Strengths: Sykora has a strong motor, excellent work ethic, and plays a responsible two-way game. He’s a good skater with a quick release and plays fearlessly despite his size.
Weaknesses: Offensive production has been inconsistent, and he can struggle to finish plays in tight.
Focus: Needs to work on offensive consistency and improving his strength.
Potential Role: Middle-six winger who can play in all situations and bring defensive reliability.
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images
